Big cat’s bash

ONE of Shepreth's most energetic residents will be celebrating its birthday at Shepreth Wildlife Park tomorrow (Friday).

The park will be holding a party for Amba, a hybrid tiger, who will be eight-years-old. Amba joined the park five years ago after reaching maturity.

Rebecca Willers, manager of the park, said: "She's absolutely adorable. She has been hand-reared and loves attention and playing around."

Tigers are becoming increasingly close to extinction, so the park is holding a tiger awareness day in conjunction with Amba's brithday, because it wants to raise funds to help protect the last few remaining wild tigers.

"My passion is the charity," said Rebecca. "As much as it's going to be a fun day, my main aim is to get the conservation issue across."

During the afternoon there will be tiger face-painting, a raffle, a bouncy castle, a tiger quiz, tiger feeding and talks - and a birthday cake.

There will be guest appearances from Ringo the coati and ex-professional footballer Jeff Stapleton, who played for Huddersfield Town.

Money raised will be donated to 21st Century Tiger, a charity in association with Global Tiger Patrol and London Zoo.

Usual admission applies, but all the activities will be free of charge.

The event will run from 1-4pm.

For more details visit www.sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk or call 01763 262234.

TIGER FACTS

- 100 years ago there were 100,000 tigers comprising eight sub-species, but today there is only 5,000 tigers remaining with only five sub-species.

- Tigers are the biggest cats in the world.

- Tigers live up to 10-years-old, but those in zoos can live twice as long.

- Tigers are the most endangered species of big cat.

- Tiger stripes are individually as unique as the human fingerprint.

- A tiger can go without eating for two to three days.

- A group of tigers is called a streak.